Southampton Dog Training Team

Sandra - Dog Trainer

Hi, I’m Sandra, head and founder of AA Dog Training School (now The National Dog Training Academy). Married to Mac, my children left home many years ago and I now have two beautiful grandchildren.

Mac and I live on an old Hovercraft on the Hamble with Rolo, a lively, Flat Coated Retriever who is an amazing pet Gundog and our only dog at the moment as we lost the lovely Doris, a rescue Great Dane, who is deaf and partially sighted. She taught me so, so, much and I miss her every day.

My next dog I’m sure will find me when the time is right.

I can’t believe how my life has changed since I decided to earn a living as a dog trainer. My only regret is that I didn’t have the courage to do it earlier. Although I hope I have lots of time left to make lots more life changing decisions, to date, this has to be one of the best decisions ever.

Building The National Dog Training Academy has been so exciting and worthwhile. My team are amazing and we strive to be the very best we can, winning Best of Business 2017 & 2018, Best Dog Trainers in UK 2018 and several other business awards.

I have a real passion for training other people to become dog trainers and helping them to follow their dream.

I began working life as a State Registered Nurse, and moved very quickly into the voluntary sector as a health care professional where I completed an MSc. I had a short spell as vice Chair for a local Citizens Advice Bureau. A brief overview of my experience includes, improving services, developing new ones, training medical and social care professionals, writing NVQ training materials and finally into senior management in the public sector.

My varied roles are too vast to mention, but throughout it all, what I really wanted was to work with dogs. Now, I cannot understand how or why it took me so long.

Finally, in 2010, after some life changing events, and a puppy that was making me cry, I took my opportunity. I discovered Steve Mann and took two of his courses and a year-long mentorship.

When I set out on the road, it was lonely. It was scary. Very few people who were on my course ever achieved their dream. That’s why I am so passionate, not just about the training we do for dogs and handlers, but training and supporting others to become dog trainers.

Offering Train the Trainer courses and a license opportunity seemed to be a great way to do just that at the same time as ensuring quality, professional & effective, dog & puppy training services are available far and wide across the UK.

Since my initial training I have undertaken many dog training courses, (too many to note here), had some amazing opportunities, including training with Phillipa Williams one of the gundog performers at Crufts and Richard Curtis who performs in Heelwork to Music at Crufts.

Amongst my portfolio is a Diploma in Canine Studies and a Professional Dog Instructors certificate through Cambridge Institute of Dog Training and Behaviour. Continuing professional development is very important to me.

We, as a team regularly attend training workshops, conferences and seminars and are always looking for new ideas to improve our training methods. Our studies are not all about dogs, We feel it is very important to undertake adult learning training too. Being a dog trainer is very much about teaching people.

Dogs add such value to life and I have seen the impact they have on people who are ill or disabled. If you would like to read our story about Daniel, who had Huntington’s Disease, you can do that here. Both Daniel and Huntington’s Disease are very close to my heart.

Start your own Profitable Dog Training School

Due to huge demand we are now looking to develop our existing operations through new strategic licensing opportunities with the right individuals.

Testimonials

“
Amazing, really can't express how much my pup has changed, 8 weeks ago she was like a tornado, pulling on the lead and not really paying attention to any commands. 8 weeks on she has mastered lead walking, sit/stay, waiting, positive socialisation with other dogs and nearly mastered not jumping up at familiar faces. I have had so many comments about her good behaviour which is lovely. ”

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Mum and I go home after class every week smiling and thinking ‘I can’t believe how much we love classes. ”

“
I heard some very long words today that I don’t really understand, when my mum told someone that AA Dog Training ‘is a great blend of efficiency and organisation with humour and friendliness.’ She then said it is ‘perfect.’ I understand that word because she said my grading was ‘nearly perfect’ and then gave me a treat. ”

“
My mum says she gained so much knowledge from your brilliant team and that’s great for me, cos now we can ‘talk’ to each other and I know what she wants me to do. ”

The training is fantastic. You are usually in groups of about 6 other dogs. The trainer's make time for one 2 one conversations and and advice. Family's also attended the course, which is great for socialising. The location is on a farm, which is a bit of a tip. You'll need Welly boots as it can get muddy, and old trousers as the dogs my jump up on you.

I travelled from Northern Ireland to complete "Train the Trainer Course" I cant recommend the Academy high enough. I am now running very successful Dog/Puppy classes. Sandra and her staff are brilliant. their knowledge and know how is second to none. They are very professional and passionate about the work they do which comes across in their training. If you want your dog 🐶 trained or you want to become a trainer The National Dog Training Academy Southampton is the place to go. Not only do I have a successful business, I have an extremely well trained dog "My Lacey" myself, who get compliments every time we are out.

Having been a customer of the academy for almost 8 years now I can honestly say that the dog training is excellent and you will not find better anywhere else. I have taken all three of my dogs to Sandra to various training from 1:1, obedience to agility and gun dog classes and all the classes and the trainers are excellent. Well run classes, knowledgeable, friendly and approachable trainers. Sandra is the best trainer I have been to (I have tried a few!) and trust her and her positive training approaches 100%. I would (and do) recommend to every dog owner I meet as it has improved my dogs lives no end.

Having taken my puppy to Sandra and the team for training I realised that this is what I wanted to do. The team make training fun and it works. When I heard that Sandra ran a 'train the trainer' course I knew I had to do it.
It was really good - very thorough and Sandra and the team are extremely knowledgeable. After completing the course i felt confident enough to run my own classes. Sandra is always there to support me and help with anything I need further advice on.
I know she has lots of happy clients who continue to take their dogs to her for training and fun.

Thank you soooo much to Sandra, Karen, Tracey and the whole team at the national dog training academy for being so helpful, supportive, welcoming, friendly in helping me obtain my certificate for the ‘Train the trainer’ course! I’ve had a great three days and can’t wait to come back! Also thank you to Karen for your expert help in the puppy class I attend, for my toy poodle puppy willow we are on week 8 Sunday and we’ve loved every part of the course with you! �

We originally signed up for 8 weeks of puppy training which proved to be instrumental in obtaining a firm foundation for good control and obedience, and also a stronger bond with our puppies. We immediately signed up for a further year of classes to progress our doggies through their Bronze and Silver awards onto their Gold, whilst learning it's as much about the handler as it is the dog. We have been impressed with the standard of knowledge and advice on hand and have thoroughly enjoyed the behaviour classes and especially the agility. We have recommended the The National Dog training Academy to friends and family and will continue to do so. When circumstances allow we will return to continue training.